There is every probability that the craft gilds date from before the Conquest. In the twelfth century head masons, carpenters, and other craftsmen are called "masters," and this title of university rank was always, I believe, formally conferred by an organised gild. Even at this time the members of crafts were grouped together, as witness Candlewright Street, Milk Street, and the Shambles. We hear of a weaver's gild in 1130.[176] Even before the Conquest, probably, craftsmen wrought and sold their ordinary wares in the traditional open-fronted shops known as well in the East as in mediæval Europe. FitzStephen says there were three principal schools in London when he wrote (in the twelfth century). St. Paul's School, almost certainly, was already established at the Conquest, and the schools of _S. Marie Archa_ and _S. Martini Magni_ are mentioned in a mandate about 1135 (_Commune of London_, p. 117). * * * * * _Churches._--So many churches can now be traced back to the twelfth century that there cannot be a doubt that FitzStephen was accurate in saying that at that time there were in London and the suburbs thirteen larger conventual churches, besides lesser parish churches one hundred and twenty-six. In other words, practically all the parish churches in London and its liberties had been founded by the end of the twelfth century; and there is every reason for supposing that many, if not most, of these churches were even then ancient. _St. Paul's._--The cathedral we know from Bede was founded early in the seventh century by Mellitus, sent from Rome in 601 and consecrated Bishop of London by St. Augustine in 604.